The 1901 Cookbook Archive
No. 1127 — Spit-Roasted Thrushes with Juniper
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 1127 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
The source says thrushes, like snipe, are not eviscerated: only pluck, singe and wash them.
Take twelve to sixteen birds and rub with crushed juniper. Wrap in slices of ½ Russian pound of pork fat and in buttered paper.
Thread onto a stick, attach to a spit and roast over a strong fire, basting with two spoonfuls of melted butter, with a baking sheet underneath.
Arrange the cooked thrushes in a pile in the centre of a platter, and surround with white-bread slices fried in the pan juices.
Historical editorial note: Keeping the entrails inside wild birds is a historical, not a modern safe, practice.
Original source: Read Russian recipe No. 1127. Historical quantities and terminology are retained. See the measurements guide. Period preparation and storage methods are not modern safety guidance.